Reservation or Quota System in India

India is a huge country with a massive population of over 1.2 billion people residing in it. It comprises of people from different ethnicity and religion. There is also a rigid caste system prevailing in the country. In the face of given stratification in the country, the government faces a challenge of making education accessible to all the castes, people from all the religions and backgrounds. It is a country which is in dire need of education because it is the only way to secure a brighter future for the country. It requires participation from all groups and people from all ethnicities and castes. For this purpose reservation or quota system was introduced in the education system of India.

Effective Constitution for Promoting Equality in Education:

The constitution of India lays strong foundation for unbiased and equal education opportunity for the inhabitants of the nation. According to the Article 15(1) of the constitution, it clearly states that the state shall not discriminate any person on the grounds of his religious background, his caste, race, ethnicity, gender, and place of birth or any of them. Article 15(4) further emphasizes on the fact that the state has the liberty and power to make special provision in an attempt to advance the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes or scheduled castes or tribes of the nation. It gives special emphasis on bringing equality in education.

Reservation or Quota System:

Reservation or Quota system was introduced in the country with a clean intention of making education accessible to the under privileged castes and minorities of the state. It is a process in which a certain percentage of seats are set aside in educational institutes for the enrollment of students from such under privileged castes and underrepresented communities. For this purpose, different reservations have been introduced like, reservation for women, reservation for physically challenged, reservation for economically backward classes, reservation for scheduled castes etc.

The proportion of Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) within the entire population comprises of almost 22.5%. For them, a reservation quota of 22.5% has been decided. The percentage distribution of reservation quota for different groups is as follows:

Scheduled Cates – 15%

Scheduled Tribes – 7.5%

Other Backward Classes (OBC) – 27%

Total reservation – 49.5%

Favoring Reservation System:

Since the introduction of reservation system in India, a lot of controversy has been attached to it. There are people who are in favor or quota system and consider it a positive step towards making education accessible among the masses without any discrimination. The students of these castes and groups have always had difficulties in attaining education with normal people in normal institutes which is why they lag behind. They have an equal right for education and quota system is a medium which gives them a fair chance to stand in the queue and prove their worth and talent against students of upper castes and majority.

Opposition against Reservation System:

The reservation system has called for a lot of controversy and criticism by the masses and different groups. People who oppose quota system state that they believe in merit and reservation is killing merit and true deserving candidates. Because a certain percentage of seats are already allotted to candidates who do not even meet the criteria, it creates a disadvantage for the deserving candidates who have worked hard all year and scored good marks but could not get admission because of shortage of seats.

This has a ripple effect in the entire education system and the economy. If the actually potential candidates would not be given a fair chance to attain higher education, then quality graduates would not be produced in the market that could compete on international level. A pool of talented candidates may also leave the country and go to other countries for higher studies.

Bringing a Balance in the Education System:

The debate against or in favor of reservation or quota system is ongoing. Each group has their own fears and reservations which derives them in favor or against this system. It has also been politicize and sensationalized by the media and politicians. Everyone has their vested interests in it. But the future of the youth and upcoming generations is at stake.

Exposing the students of underprivileged group to a highly competitive higher education system is unfair to them. They should be provided a fair chance for competing against normal students by setting up an educational infrastructure which accommodates them. Schools and colleges should be established for them that have regional accreditation. They should meet the criteria of quality education. This would prepare them for a fair chance at higher education.

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